elk loads for 50 cal

[JDMAG]

:grin: My wonderful and beautiful wife has bought for my birthday a guided muzzleloader hunt in the Flattops wilderness in Colorado. She also bought me a new .50 cal. Traditions Persuit Pro for Christmas last year. After talking to several people and the folks at Powerbelt, the load I am currently working with is 90 to 100 gr of FFF triple 7 and a 444 grain solid, zeroed 2 inches hi at 50 yards. I havn't tried this at farther ranges yet, but I will. (50 is what I can get in my back yard) I get about a 2 inch group with open sights and my glasses.
Do any of you have any other suggestions? the hunt will probably be next year or the following year depending on when I get drawn. so I still have some time. Thanks in advance!

 

[JD338]

JDMAG,

Your wife is a keeper! Congratulations.

Take a look at the .451 PT's. 260 gr HP and 300 gr Protected Point.
I would try the 300 gr PT PP first w/ 100 grs of Triple 7.
Put a good scope on your rifle like the Leupold M8 4x.

JD338

 

[JDMAG]

Yep I better keep her. she can cook too, and has a job!!!
The only problem with those bullets is that you have to have a sabot with them I believe. and as for a scope, your not allowed to have that in colorado either. no sabots, no scope, and no pre pressed pellets of powder! Thats colorado for ya! However after the Elk hunt I do plan on putting a good scope on it and useing it for deer here in Tn. Is that Leupold you mentioned good for muzzleloaders?
Thanks!

 

[JD338]

Too bad about the sabots and scope in CO. Try the Power Belt bullets.
The Leupold M8 4x is excellent for a muzzleloader. I have one with the heavy DuPlex reticle on my M700 50 cal. I have killed many WT deer with this combo using the 44 cal 250 gr PT and the last coouple of years with the 45 cal 260 gr PT. I always get a nice exit wound and a short blood trail.
Some where on the Nosler web site are some photos, one is a late season WT shot with a 45 cal 260 gr PT. You can see the exit wound which is about the size of a quarter.

JD338

 

[Richracer1]

Power belts aren't legal for use in CO muzzleloader only hunt either. Only the good ole patch and ball, maxi-ball type bullets.

 

[JD338]

I didn't know that!
I guess that is why they call it a primitive season. I would try some Buffalo Bullet Company 385 gr HP #50385 bullets, prelubed, 20 per
foam pkg. These shot good from a T/C White Mt Carbine I had years ago.

JD338

 

[JDMAG]

According to the Colorado Devision of Wildlife, (the last time I asked them) the Powerbelts ARE legal. They are not considered a sabot. it's alot closer to a gas check. and I don't think Poewerbelt calls it that. That said, my wife says that my Colorado hunting guide arrived this week, so I'll check again when I get home.Or I may call them again tomorrow.

 

[stinky]

jd, if colorado doesn't allow powerbuilts, try mdm muzzleloaders dyno core bullets
http://www.mdm-muzzleloaders.com/dynocore.htm

 

[JDMAG]

Well Stinky, that bullet looks interesting weather or not power belts are legal in Colorado. what can you tell me about them?
Right now I am shooting 444 grain Powerbelts, 2 inches hi at 50 yards as per their (Powerbelt) instructions. Hopefully in the next week or 2 I'll be able to stretch that out to 150 or maybe even 200 yards to see where it is hitting (with my own eyes)
Thanks,
JD

 

[stinky]

jd, i haven't used them personally but a friend of mine introduced them to me. He had ordered some after seeing them on the Northwoods Adventure show. He has used them on Black Bear with great success but i havent used them yet, sorry.

 

[JDMAG]

YES Powerbelts are legal in Colorado. :grin:

 

[skeeter]

Maybe to late, could give the 460gr No Excuses conical a look for comparison. I used them to take elk, moose and few deer. Accurate and devasting on game, IME. This was from my original inline, a gonic using 120 gr of RS. I'd try them with 777 up to a max of 100 gr in your pursuit.

http://members.aol.com/noexcusesb/page3.html

Good luck and enjoy your hunt.

 

[JDMAG]

Thanks!
I'm going to try to find some or order from the web and try them. I didn't get drawn for this years hunt so I have time to experiment. I don't want to say "plenty" of time, because then I'll run out. :?

 

[FOTIS]

These are what I am working with now in my savage MLII

 

[FOTIS]

also look here

http://www.savageshooters.net/SavageFor ... pic=9329.0

 

[skeeter]

These are what I am working with now in my savage MLII

Pop, how are they doing? What GR/Sabot/load/powder/primer? I have heard mixed reviews on the TMZ's/10II.